bound up the Cumberland
river; but for what point, was not fully known. General Thomas' Division
kept coming in, regiment after regiment; proceeded directly to the city,
and there embarked aboard the steamers which were chartered for the
purpose. A number of our men went into the city, after being paid.

Louisville is the largest and most important city in Kentucky. It is
situated at the falls of the Ohio river, and contains a population of
seventy thousand, and is the center of a large and growing trade.

On Thursday morning, the 27th of February, we entered the city, and at
once commenced getting the guns, horses, &c., on board the steamer
Westmoreland. It was nearly dark, ere this was completed. At 10 o'clock
the same evening, we cast loose from the levee and were soon steaming down
the broad Ohio. Sixteen boats loaded with troops accompanied us. Colonel
Barnett was on one of them; and there were also two or three more of his
batteries on different boats.

Lieutenant Sypher, who had been absent on a short furlough, joined us at
Louisville.

The late heavy rains had caused quite a freshet in the Ohio river and its
tributaries. Many towns and buildings, which we passed, were almost
submerged, and in some places the river spread out in lake-like expansion.
We frequently met boats, which were returning for troops and supplies,
having discharged their loads. Making but few stops, and only then for the
purpose of "coaling," on Sunday morning, March 2d, we arrived at
Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland. We made but a short stay here,
and then went steaming up the river.

It was now well understood, that Nashville was our destination. The
Cumberland, like the Ohio, was at a high stage, and our progress against
the current was but slow. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at
Fort Donelson, and as we made but a short stop, had no opportunity to go
on shore to see the place, but had a pretty good view of it as we passed
by. There were a large number of Union troops stationed here, who heartily
cheered us on passing. The stars and stripes were floating over the fort,
where erst the hated symbol of secession flung its disgraceful folds.

On Monday morning, we passed the city of Clarksville, Tennessee, but made
no landing. A band, on board one of the transports accompanying us, played
several national airs as we steamed along. The place seemed almost
deserted. Occasionally, a group of "wooley heads" could be se